Corrugated shipping container



Jan. 26, 1965 A. SCHEINMAN 3,167,236

CORRUGATED SHIPPING CONTAINER Filed July 15, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ARNOLD SCHEINMAN Jan. 26, 1965 A. SCHEINMAN CORRUGATED SHIPPING CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15, 1963 United States Patent M 3,167,236 CORRUGATED SHIPPING CONTAINER Arnold Scheinman, 6'4 Spier Drive, South Orange, NJ. Filed July 15, 1963, Ser. No. 294,865 2 Claims. (Cl. 229-38) This invention concerns an improved shipping container.

In conventional rectangular shipping containers, it is usual to provide two pairs of opposing flaps each of which have substantially one half the width of the container. This construction results in holes at the centers of the top and bottom of the container where one pair of coplanar flaps cross the other pair. These holes are undesirable. A further objectionable feature of conventional corrugated cartons is the difficulty of filling and emptying them since the wide flaps when open obstruct all sides of the container. If a flap is folded outwardly against a side of the container to clear an entrance to the container, the severe fold tends to weaken the container at this fold.

The present invention is directed at overcoming the above and other difiiculties and disadvantages and Ito provide an improved container construction.

One object of the invention is to provide a container having opposing flaps of different widths, with the total widths of both opposing flaps less than the width of container which they span.

Another object is to provide a container with one pair of opposing flaps of diflerent widths as described, and with another pair of opposing flaps each of equal width substantially equal to the width of the container which they span.

A further object is to provide a container with two pairs of flaps of different Widths as described, and wherein the narrowest flap may have an edge fold for engaging in a slot in reinforcement or padding board, or for stiffening the container transversely in the absence of the reinforcement board.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the invention, the container being shown in partially closed position.

' FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the partially closed container.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in section of a portion of the container, shown lying on one side, in open position.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank from which the container may be formed.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a further development of the container.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a reinforcement board.

Referring first to FIG. 6, there is shown a corrugated board blank 10 from which the container or box embodying the invention is made. The blank can be made of laminated, flat or corrugated layers of paper. The blank is generally rectangular in form with two pairs of deep, wide notches 12, 14 and 12 14 extending inwardly of opposite edges 16, 18. The notches in each pair are aligned with each other. The notches together with long 3,167,236 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 end edge 20 and short end edges 22, 22 define three rectangular flaps on each lateral edge of the blank. Flaps 24 and 26 are of equal size with a shorter flap 25 of the same width but shorter length between them. Flaps 24 25 and 26 are opposite and of the same size as flaps Z t -26 respectively. Fold lines L and L define inner edges of the flaps. A rectangular end extension 27 of the blank has transverse short notches 28 28 defining inner ends of narrow rectangular flaps 30 30 which terminate at longitudinal fold lines L, L", respectively. A first rectangular panel 32 is defined between end edge 22', fold lines L, L and transverse fold line F1. A

second rectangular panel 33 is defined between transverse.

fold lines F1, F2 and longitudinal folds L, L". Fold line F1 extends between inner ends of notches 28 28". Fold line F2 extends between inner ends of notches 14 14 A third rectangular panel 34 is defined between transverse fold lines F2, F3 longitudinal fold lines L, L". Fold line F3 extends between inner ends of notches 12 12 Panel 34 is the same size as panel 32. A fourth rectangular panel 35 is defined between transverse fold line F3 and end edge 20, and between longitudinal fold lines L, L. This panel is the same size as panel 33. Further folds F and F may be formed longitudinally of narrow flaps 30 30*.

FIGS. 1-5 show the container or box 10' in set-up partially closed position. End edges 22 and 20 are abutted to each other and secured by a gummed tape 40 which overlays margins of panels 32 and 35. The bottom of the container is closed by folding flaps 30 and 25 inwardly to a coplanar disposition. Under these flaps is flap 26 closing the entire bottom of the box and under flap 26 is flap 24 also closing the bottom and forming a double layer with flap 26 Flaps 30 and 25 together define a third inner layer or parts of a third layer.

Flap 30 is shown turned inwardly in FIGS. l-4, while flaps Ze -26 are upright or folded outwardly. It will be noted that when flap 30 is unfolded as shown in FIG. 5 or folded as shown in FIGS. 14, substantially the entire top of the container is open so that an operator can stand close to the container at panel 32 for filling or emptying the container.

FIG. 7 shows another development of the container in which container 10 has flaps 30 folded on line F" to define an upstanding flange FL2. This flange can fit into a slot formed near the edge of a rectangular reinforcement or padding board 45 shown to best advantage in FIG. 8 The board 45 defines a fourth layer at the bottom of the container. Flange FLl can be folded down at line F from flap 30 to enlarge the opening at the top of the box. In addition, this flange will provide a further transverse stiffener member. If desired, a cover board 45 indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 7 can be placed over the contents of the box and flange 30 can be fitted in the slot of the board to anchor it in place.

When the flaps are closed at the top and bottom of container 10' there will be three layers of overlaying flaps at each end of the container. If padding boards 45 and 45' are used, then there will be four layers at each end of the box stiffening the box against transverse twisting and bending and insulating the contents from damage.

The structures described thus provide containers which are easier to fill and empty, which are reinforced to a greater extent at their ends and which are further reinforced against twisting and transverse loading. The panels 32-35 can be made in any length desired. The sizes of the flaps and blank can also be varied provided the relative proportions described are substantially maintained.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and rnodificationsrnayhe madvvithin the scope of the invention vas defined in'the' appended claims. v

Having thusdescribed myinvention, what I claim as new, land-desire to secure by United States Letters Patentiszff g 1.;A corrugated container, compris ing a rectangular easing having a first pair of opposing rectangular panels and-"a; second pair of opposing rectangular panels defining a re'ctangular tubular structure; a firstlpair of rectangular.

flaps at"opppsiteendsofonepanel of said first pair, said flaps being'substan'tially equalin area to the cross-see and a second pair -of opposing rectangular panels'defining a rectangular tubular structure, a first pair of rectangular flaps atopposite ends;of-one panel, of usaid-firstpair, said flaps being substantially'e'qual inarea to the cross-sectional.

arearof ,sa-idcasingrto-form outer end covering layers,

tio'n'al'area of said casing toform outer end coveringlay ers} 'asecond 'pair of rectangular; flaps at opposite ends of the other'panel of {said firstpair for juxtaposition 'to the first pairof flaps respectively, to provide second coveringlayersgat each end oflthecas ing, a third pair of flaps qualinwidtla to'widths of the first and secondrpairs of flaps shorter thanthe first, and second pairs of flaps for extending'part way across thecasing at opposite, ends inside of a'nd juxtaposed to the' sego nd pair of flaps respe'qtiyely to proyide' third-layers at opposite ends of the casing, "and a fourth pair of narrow flaps at opposite V ends'of the o'ther panel ofsaid second pairof panelsnto,

provide stiffening rnenibers for the, casing and disposable infcoplanar diSpositiQn'fwith;the third pair of 'flaps 're-' spectiv'ely'to prqvide'third coveringlayers, and to leave the casing substantially, unobstructedrat either end when a second pair of rectangular fiapsjat opposit'ejends 'of the other Panel; of said first pair. f or juntaposition jto the first pailiof jflaps' respectively to' provide lseeond c overing.

layers rat each end ofi'the; casing, "and a third paif' ,of 1 narrow ffia'psj at opposite ends 'of on e of the secondfpair of panels: to pr oyide stifiening. mernbers. for the; casing the flaps of the-first; second -and third'ipair ofrflaps there: i

' at are opened while the fiaps of the fourth pair offlaps 'var flfolded inwardly of th e c asing, the flaps ofvthe fourth I leavingj opposite ends of the {casing substantially unob- -sttucted for filling and.emptyingthe1casing,"at least; one

e flthi'rd pairof. fiaps heing folded longitudinally invyardly to define a narrow flange, and. a reinforcement board having'fa slot engaged with 'said flange to provide another 'coveri'ng layer atone end of the casing.v

i Reteren ces Cited in the-fileofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 12,570,973

17 2 938 5 Moore 'Jan. 3,"{1956 

1. A CORRUGATED CONTAINER, COMPRISING A RECTANGULAR CASING HAVING A FIRST PAIR OF OPPOSING RECTANGULAR PANELS AND A SECOND PAIR OF OPPOSING RECTANGULAR PANELS DEFINING A RECTANGULAR TUBULAR STRUCTURE, A FIRST PAIR OF RECTANGULAR FLAPS AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF ONE PANEL OF SAID FIRST PAIR, SAID FLAPS BEING SUBSANTIALLY EQUAL IN AREA TO THE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF SAID CASING TO FORM OUTER END COVERING LAYERS, A SECOND PAIR OF RECTANGUALR FLAPS AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE OTHER PANEL OF SAID FIRST PAIR FOR JUXTAPOSTION TO THE FIRST PAIR OF FLAPS RESPECTIVELY TO PROVIDE SECOND COVERING LAYERS AT EACH END OF THE CASING, A THIRD PAIR OF FLAPS EQUAL IN WIDTH TO WIDTHS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND PAIRS OF FLAPS AND SHORTER THAN THE FIEST AND SECOND PAIRS OF FLAPS FOR EXTENDING PART WAY ACROSS THE CASING AT OPPOSITE ENDS INSIDE OF AND JUXTAPOSED TO THE SECOND PAIR OF FLAPS RESPECTIVELY TO PROVIDE THIRD LAYERS AT OPPOSTE ENDS OF THE CASING, AND A FOURTH PAIR OF NARROW FLAPS AT OPPOSITE 